King Oyo Treks Gorillas in Bwindi, Urges Conservation and Better Infrastructure

Kanungu District— His Majesty King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, the youthful monarch of the Tooro Kingdom, has called for increased conservation efforts and urgent improvements in Uganda’s tourism infrastructure following his recent trek to see mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

In a statement shared on his official social media accounts, King Oyo described his experience in Bwindi as both enlightening and inspiring.

“I visited Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, and I learnt that it is home to 50% of the world’s mountain gorillas! Thank you to the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) for their conservation efforts, which have helped the gorilla population grow from just 300 to 459,” he wrote.

The King expressed gratitude to the team at Trackers in Bwindi and the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) for their continued efforts in promoting Uganda’s tourism sector. However, he emphasised the urgent need for better roads to improve access to Uganda’s key tourism destinations.

“I urge the government to prioritise the urgent upgrade of critical roads leading to our tourism destinations, particularly the Kampala-Fort Portal Tourism City Road and the Kanyantorogo-Buhoma Road. It’s essential to recognise that tourism contributes 7% to our national GDP,” he added.

A Call to Protect Wildlife

King Oyo also reflected on his recent visit to Queen Elizabeth National Park, where he was alarmed by the dwindling populations of Uganda’s iconic wildlife species.

“During my visit, I was saddened to learn about the declining numbers of some of our most iconic wildlife. For instance, only 76 lions are remaining in Uganda, and around 4,000 elephants. Poaching and human-wildlife conflicts are serious threats that need immediate attention,” he stated.

The King urged Ugandans to take collective responsibility for protecting the nation’s natural heritage.

“This is a call to action for all of us. By visiting our beautiful parks and other tourism sites, we can support conservation efforts and contribute to the growth of our tourism industry. Together, we can ensure that these natural treasures are preserved for future generations.”

King Oyo’s remarks come as part of his broader 25-year development plan for the Tooro Kingdom, which includes promoting Uganda’s tourism potential and advocating for sustainable development. As Chairperson of the World Monarchs Summit Secretariat, the King has consistently championed global conservation efforts.

His visits to Bwindi and Queen Elizabeth National Parks highlight the importance of balancing tourism development with wildlife preservation, a message that resonates not only in Uganda but also on the global stage.